The legend of the chosen one……
In a time of war one would bring change. This person would be a person of considerable strength and courage. With the hero's of old he traveled to all the kingdoms in the land of Kanto and Johto. The alliance of the kingdoms was made while in his youth and he was taught by the best they had to offer. None truly knew how he came to be in this world for he had no mother in the world. For five long years he traveled the lands with his warriors and sometimes without. Adventure seemed to follow him like a plague. Some said that he was a sorcerer, others a great warrior, but most importantly he was a prince in his own right. All knew him and adored him. Then the war broke out; the loyalists and takers against the young one. None knew whom these people were loyal to for their master was unknown. A great and mighty war was fought with many dying. Finally, the young one had enough death imprinted in his memory and invoked the Tiencha- the right to rule by combat. That is where the chapter of trial begins…..
Ash was waiting atop mount Mieoshi. Waiting for his competition. Ash had won the war a long time ago when he took the Silver Mountain Castle, their base of operation. Ash had nothing to worry about other than the odd skirmish with the small rebel loyalists who escaped them all the time. Ash had enough with this tiresome game of cat and mouse. Their leader still eluded him time and time again so the war would truly never be over until the other was dead.
"Ash?" Pikachu asked worried. Ash drifted out of his thoughts and pulled a strand of raven hair from his eyes. His hat hair had disappeared when he was about fifteen. Pikachu was worried about Ash. Ash hadn't been himself lately since Bracken was seriously injured in an assassination attempt on Ash's life. Garnick was taking care of him at Ash's base of operation at Krofost castle. Ash wasn't one to take a life unless he had no other choice but today he was focused and scary.
"I'm fine Pikachu. Don't worry about me." Pikachu nodded from Ash's shoulder and sighed. Today was the day that they ended this farce. A small child that was too young to know anything had delivered the message. Ash was to meet the leader atop the mountain of Mieoshi at quarter sun and Ash was waiting. The person to come down the mountain was the new ruler of the entire world. Ash had already made arrangement that if he won, their rule would be combined into one. Ash copied the system from his original world and placed it into this time. Ash had to make sure that he won. Then, in the distance, Ash saw a cloaked figure approaching him.
'At last.' Ash waited until the cloaked figure was close enough. Ash looked at the person who had been causing him trouble since he was fourteen. Ash had just finished his training with Bracken and to maintain his athletic build, he was doing strength building. Ash never thought his muscles would save his life. First it was the life attempts and then the war broke out soon afterwards. Ash couldn't believe how he could fight so well. Also, Garnick's magic training was an enormous help in battles. Especially if that battle was against a pokemon.
"Stop right there." Ash ordered. The figure stopped. "Remove your cloak." When the figure did, Ash was met with a horrid shock. "Lance?" Ash recognized the hero that he worshipped every league battle for the champion title. Ash hadn't met the other alternate of Lance until now. Lance was as equally as surprised.
"How do you know me?" Lance growled. Ash shook off his initial shock and crouched into a defensive position.
"I don't" Ash growled back. "Before we get this bout started, I want to ask you a question. Why did you form the council to control so many lives? Were you bored or did you just want power?" The answer Ash got was expected.
"I formed the council to appease the former councils expectations." Lance said simply. Ash shook his head in disgust; people here never went against the grain. They just followed orders without thinking. That's why so many had died.
"I thought as much. So, what is your choice of weapon? The message said to bring one weapon and one weapon only." Lance removed a gun from his pocket. It was a bit more up to date then the crude guns Ash had fought before.
"Say goodbye. You were a worthy foe." Lance said grinning. Ash copied his smile and chuckled.
"You still don't get it do you? You were never able to figure out why the battle at Mount Moon turned out the way it did. Sorry Lance, this time you lose. I will allow an unconditional surrender right now if you're interested." Ash offered seriously. Lance just laughed at Ash's offer.
"You're bluffing. You and I know that you can't outrun a gun and I had this one made up especially for you." Lance pointed it directly at Ash and pulled the trigger. A deafening blast was heard from the mountaintop that could be heard in the valleys. When the echo died down, Ash was still standing.
"You see Lance, some of the rumours about me are true. I have pokemon, I fight well and-" Ash's smile turned totally cruel. "-operate at a rate one sorcerer." Lance's face went pale and he dropped the gun. "Being all that and the chosen one is a lot of hard work but I don't mind. The job lets me take care of trash like you. ??????????"
'No!' Lance gasped as a wall of fire blasted towards him. That was all that Lance could remember seeing before winking out of existence. Pikachu sadly watched as the fool had underestimated Ash again and died in the wake of Ash's onslaught.
"The weapon I brought with me was the best you'll find anywhere; me. I took care of the Mount Moon errand myself. You should have surrendered while you had a chance." Ash turned away and began to walk the long hike back to his friends below.
At the base of Mt Mieoshi.
"I don't care about the rules! I'm going up there after him!" Tracey growled. Mysterious and Brock had to hold him down. "Let me go! Ash could be in trouble!"
"We don't know that for sure!" Mysterious said quickly. "It's just going to be one little fight and it's all over. We have to have faith in Ash." Tracey settled down a bit and was released.
"I feel so helpless. Ash is my lord! I should be up there in his place or at least helping him." Tracey sputtered. Tracey peered out of the tent for the third time that day. "And those gun shots didn't make me feel any better."
"I don't think Ash would lose to anyone. Not after all of his hard work into the cause. All he has to do now is show up and we all have our freedom." Brock said simply.
"You're calm just because you haven't known Ash as long as I have. I've never seen that look in his eyes before when Bracken was hurt." Tracey shot back.
"Enough bickering both of you!" Mysterious growled. "Now is the time to wait. I have confidence that Ash will return to us and unharmed." Both men simply sat down on the chairs provided and waited.
"Mysterious, what will Ash do once he's finished here?" Tracey thought out of the blue. Mysterious's mind was thrown back to a memory of a clear starry night sky. It was the night that broke her heart into pieces. Ash had told her the truth why he couldn't hold the promise stick and why he didn't want to get involved with her or anyone else.
"You kidding? He's going to be married and have the pitter patter of little feet this time next year! That lucky little houndour!" Brock said in a laugh. Mysterious almost cried. Then, there was a great commotion outside. Thinking it was Ash, the trio raced out into the camp to see a familiar face. Not Ash's mind you but a familiar face nonetheless.
"Bracken! Garnick!" Tracey cheered. "I thought you were laid up man." Bracken gave Tracey a scowl that could melt iron.
"He still is." Garnick said with an impish grin. "You're just seeing his mind image right now. Mine as well." Mysterious smiled knowingly at Garnick.
"Curiosity killed the Meowth you know." Mysterious teased.
"Good thing he's not a pokemon then." Interrupted a voice. All eyes turned to see Ashura Satoshi Ketchum leaning on the nearest pole. "Did I miss something? Do I have a stare at me sign stamped to my forehead?" The group laughed and Ash grinned.
"Ashura! Chosen One!" Before Ash could silence Bracken, the entire camp burst out into the normal cheer for when Ash won a significant battle.
"ASHURA! CHOSEN ONE! ASHURA! CHOSEN ONE! ASHURA!" Ash lowered his head and blushed.
"Looks like I'm the hero of the day. Why don't I just pack up and leave for Krofost castle? We can celebrate th-*" Ash was suddenly cut off by a feeling that he hadn't had in a long time. Ash neatly fell over on his back and stopped in shock.
"Ash!" Three people and two shadows moved to help Ash only to be blocked by his powers.
"Pikachu! To me!" Ash warped the space around him and collected what he thought as his worldly possessions; a bag full of magic powders, his opal staff and his weapons. Ash's pokeballs suddenly appeared on his belt and he made sure he had everything mentally.
"What's the matter Ash?" Pikachu asked as soon as he was on Ash's shoulder. Ash sighed and Pikachu could see the tears forming.
"I hate to leave you all on such short notice. I guess my time here is up. I hope I can see you all again someday. Goodbye." Ash said teary eyed.
"What? No! Ash wait!" Mysterious cried.
"Goodbye." Ash said one last time. Mysterious watched, as Ash seemed to be swallowed by nothing and disappeared. The group was left in silence. The person they had grown to admire and love over the past years had finally gone home. Then a horrendous scream echoed the camp.
First World.
"And in other news, the pokemon league has officially released the information that Team Rocket was responsible for the Goldenrod City Tower takeover." Misty sighed and changed the channel. Nothing of interest to her. Misty stretched out her aching muscles and yawned. It had been another long day at the Cerulean Gym. Her sisters had once again insisted that Misty help out with the water show and was dragged into it.
'Why do I let them talk me into these things?' Misty got out of the private living room in the back of the gym and walked around. Things had changed so much around the gym with Misty back from pokemon journeying that there was a lot of adjusting. Misty took a trip up to the pool to see how her pokemon were doing. Misty may have been the new water pokemon master but she felt something was still missing in her life.
"Like, there she is." Misty was by the pool when her sister Daisy spotted her. Misty lazily rolled her head to the side to see Daisy with another boy.
'When will she ever give up?' Misty grumbled to herself. When Misty got back from her wanders, her sisters realized that she actually was a woman. When that happened, every bachelor they knew came a call'n.
"Misty, this is like, Vern. He was like, so totally psyched to meet you that I had to bring him over."
"Hello." Misty said coldly. Vern looked Misty over and decided that she was good enough not to take the cold tone in offence.
"I'm Vern. Pleased to meet you." Misty saw him extent his hand and ignored it. Vern didn't like her for anything other then her extremely fit body.
"Now Vern, what would you be doing here? Hmmmm? You do realize I'm a busy girl and moments like this to relax like this are rare for me. So, if you and my sister don't have anything important to tell me, I'd rather be alone right now." If he didn't take the hint then, Misty would bring out her mallet.
"I can always come back later." Vern grumbled. Vern left Misty and Daisy alone and left the gym. Daisy was beyond angry.
"How could you do that!?! Every time I want you to meet someone nice, you drop him like a hot potato!"
"Calm down sis." Misty's other sisters entered the room. Lily and Violet sat down next to their sister by the pool. Lily was the one speaking to Daisy. "Like, we all know the reason like, Misty won't like, date a guy."
"She should get over that-that scary Ash Ketchum guy. It's been like, years!" Daisy growled in Misty's direction. Misty ignored her sisters and looked up into the skylight. It was the perfect day in Misty's own little world. A miserable existence ever since her Ash left. Daisy went on like this for hours at a time so Misty began to drift off into sleep when something out of the ordinary happened.
"-ld maid for all I care. I'm through trying to help you find a gu-***" Daisy stopped midword. That never happened in the Waterflower household so all three sisters looked her way. Daisy had the most startled look of horror on her face any of them had ever seen before.
"What's going on?" Misty asked Daisy. Daisy pointed to above the pool and all three sisters looked to see something strange. There was a bright light hovering over their pool. The light source seemed to come out of nowhere and was getting brighter by the second. Misty had to cover her eyes before she went blind. There was a sound that resembled fireworks and the light finally flashed to his highest point and then winked into nothing.
"WHOAH!" A splash was heard and some sputtering. When Misty's eyesight came back, she was stunned to see someone in the pool. The pokemon in the water came to the rescue and her ferocious Gyarados dragged out the person.
'That's odd.' Misty thought as she neared the edge of the pool near the person. 'I didn't order any of my pokemon to save him.' Misty neared the man and noticed he was a pokemon trainer. Ten balls adorned on his belt and a Pikachu was sopping wet next to him.
"Pikachu pi pikapi." The pokemon growled. Misty's heart skipped a beat. It couldn't be the Pikachu she knew and loved. Misty got a closer look at the pokemon. It wasn't Ash's, it was in too good of shape to be Ash's Pikachu. The man moaned and began to regain consciousness. Misty walked closer with her sisters right behind her for protection.
"Man, Pikachu. That was one wild ride." The voice was unfathomable and deep. The stranger sat up. Misty studied his features to the T. Wild unruly black hair, zigzag birthmark cheeks, blue eyes. Misty's heart stopped beating a thousand times a second and returned too normal. It wasn't Ash. Ash had brown eyes. Once Misty regained her composure, she reverted from awed to angry.
"Hey! Just what do you think your doing!!!!" Misty yelled. Ash shook his head trying to clear things up. Wherever Ash had ended up when he went through dimensions he had landed above water. When he got help to the edge of the pool, he could've sworn he heard Misty.
"What?" Ash focused and saw four girls in bathing suits. For some reason, they all looked familiar. When the red haired girl marched towards him, he knew he was in trouble. The only reason a woman walked that way was to give anyone trouble.
"I won't ask you again! What are you doing here? If you wanted a badge, you could've made an appointment like everyone else!" Misty growled. "Now get out of here before I sick my Gyarados on you!" Suddenly Pikachu leapt up into her arms.
"Misty!" Pikachu said in delight. Ash's attention reverted from the girl to Pikachu. Ash slowly examined the woman in front of him and gasped. Ash recognized the orange-red hair and her eyes.
"Long time no see Misty." Groaned Ash as he got up. Misty backed off from the Pikachu and man. He was twice as big standing up as he was on the ground. When it registered what he said, Misty couldn't breath.
"Ash?" Misty whispered. Pikachu bounded back to Ash. Ash didn't respond until outside distractions came in.
"Eeeeeeeek! You have like, got to be kidding us. Like, everyone knows that Ash Ketchum dropped off the face of the world like, years ago. Like, who do you think you're kidding?" Daisy interrupted.
"Fer sure! You're nothing but a nasty fraud. Like, kick him out Misty." Violet added. "I can call Officer Jenny right now you know. So don't try anything funny." Violet added as she shot a menacing look at Ash.
"Now why would I do something funny?" Ash replied.
"Like where have you been? We're the sensational sisters!" Lily added in, her pride hurt.
"Well, I guess I have dropped off the face of the world for years but that's no reason to go ballistic on me." Ash said in his defense.
"Like, you're not fooling anyone with you're act. Violet, hand me your cell. I'll call Officer Jenny." Ash moaned inwardly, this is not what he needed right now.
'What's it going to take to convince them I'm Ash?' Ash thought to himself. Then he came up with the perfect idea. 'Oh Mew? Would you come out for a moment?' Ash sent telepathically to a pokeball. Violet had just handed Daisy the cell when a familiar stream of light shot out from one of the pokeballs around Ash's belt. All four girls reached for their own pokemon when they all saw the pokemon that had come out of the ball. There was a crash as Daisy dropped the phone.
"Mew!" Ash smiled at the reaction he got from Misty. Misty's jaw had dropped, her eyes went wide and she stared at Mew.
"Mew return." Ash pulled out the ball and sucked the pokemon back into it. Once the pokemon was away, all the sisters seemed to regain their senses. Misty was the first one to recover.
"Ash!" Misty ran and tackled him in a ferocious bear hug. Ash wasn't expecting her to move so fast and they both fell in the pool. There was a large splash and bubbles. Pikachu jumped from the pair as they went in.
"GASP!" Ash came up for air with Misty still attached to him. "Misty!" Ash growled. "Isn't this where I came in?" Misty was crying. Ash didn't know what to do so he simply got back to the side of the pool.
"I never thought you would make it back." Misty said looking up into Ash's eyes. "I can't believe you're here." Ash smiled back down at the water pokemon trainer. Misty remembered that warm overconfident smile from so long ago and remembered something. "Now maybe you can pay me back for my bike!" The look on Ash's face was priceless.
"Oh nooooo!" Ash groaned. "You're still not hung up on that bike are you?" The response to the question was a splash; a certain perturbed red head dunked Ash underwater.
"You bet I am! Do you know how much that bike cost me?! You are going to pay that bike back to me or else!" Ash was let up for air and grinned. Ash didn't realize how much he had missed Misty's unpredictable temper.
"Fine! Just let me up. I'll do whatever you say just let me live!" Ash joked. Misty gave him another dunk. After drying off and another set of cloths, Ash was sitting in a comfortable chair in the living room. "So, what's been happening since I left?" Ash asked curious. Misty didn't know where to begin.
"Your mother is still in Pallet. People banded together to rebuild the town better than ever. It had gotten quite popular when the Ultimate Trainer was rumoured to have lived there." Ash choked on the tea he was sipping.
"Common knowledge?" Ash sputtered. "It's common knowledge that I'm the Ultimate Trainer? Cripes! Mom must be worried sick about me by now." Misty smiled a knowing smile.
"Naaah! She knows that you'd come home eventually. Professor Oak has a new lab twice as big as before and Gary-." Ash moaned at his rivals name."-is the current pokemon Indigo league champion and has set up his own gym in Pallet." Misty said knowing it would bug the heck out of Ash.
"Oh great! I'm light years behind Gary now." Ash moaned. Misty laughed and gave Ash a wink. Unknown to them, three girls were listening at the door.
"Can you like, BELIEVE this?" Violet whispered. The two other girls behind the door shook their heads.
"There is like no possible way that guy could like, be Ash. He's way too big." Daisy said. Lily listened and heard a giggle from Misty.
"Like I don't know if he's a fraud or not." Lily added. "I mean, like, Misty would be able to spot a fraud right? Besides, he does look a little like the kid."
"Ash had brown eyes! This guy has like, blue!" Daisy growled. "There's like something going on here that we don't like, know about."
"And I would like to know what that is." Violet added. Their conversation didn't go unnoticed. Ash could hear a petty scout three miles away; these were loud girls in the next room.
"You know, your sisters don't have to hide behind the door like that." Ash said changing the conversation. Misty looked at him strangely.
"What are you talking about? My sisters are handling the gym." Misty said annoyed. Ash got up from his seat.
"Oh no? Watch this." Misty couldn't believe what she was seeing. Ash was very carefully walking over to the door trying not to make a sound. What was surprising was that Ash was sneaking around quickly but quietly. Ash stopped at the door and grabbed the doorknob not making a sound the entire time.
"Ash? What-" Ash suddenly opened the door and three women fell over into the room. Misty was dumbstruck as Ash began to laugh. Misty's three sisters scrambled to their feet embarrassed and walked out of the room and down the hallway.
"Mmmph! What did I tell you?" Ash giggled laughing. Misty finally found her wits enough to be embarrassed for her sisters. Ash sat down back at the chair and began to settle down. "I don't think they'll be bothering us for a while yet." Ash said grinning.
"Very funny wise guy!" Misty barked. Ash smiled his sweet and innocent smile and continued to smile.
"So, what's Brock been doing all these years? Please don't tell me he met a girl who can tolerate him." Ash said in a phony cringe. Misty's one eyebrow went up.
"Why?" Misty simply asked.
"Because I would be very, very afraid for Brock. A girl like that must be really- oh help me, what is the word I'm looking for?" Ash moaned.
"Extraordinary? Brilliant? Patient?" Misty offered. Ash put a hand under his chin and thought for a moment.
"Unique." Misty threw a pillow at Ash and he dodged it.
"OH YOU- you always were insensitive!" Misty growled. Ash threw the pillow back at her and let the subject drop.
"So? How is our Brocko?" Ash asked smiling.
"Busy." Misty answered.
"Wha? Busy? Doing what?" Ash asked stupidly. Misty shook her head.
"Ash, I know you haven't been here for the last few years but things have changed. Brock is a very highly paid for and sought after pokemon breeder. He set up shop in Pewter and is the number one man that everyone wants." Ash smiled a large smile. It didn't surprise him much.
"So, when do we go and get the gang together again? I would've told you I was coming home so you would've had a surprise party ready but," Ash just snapped his fingers and shook his head. "I just couldn't afford the long distance phone call. You know, calls over dimensions are expensive." Misty laughed.
"You never change, do you?" Misty laughed. "I'll make an appointment with him. They'll let me through on the line because I'm an old friend." Misty walked over to the vid-phone and dialed an old number.
"Cool." Ash walked up over to her. "Do you think we can used this to call my mom next? I would love to see her face after so long." Misty didn't have a chance to reply as an old crankily woman picked up the phone.
"Brock Slates office. How may I help you?" The old woman put on her glasses and gasped. "Misty! Oh my dear. You look ravishing! Brock isn't in right now but I can tell him you called." Misty took a deep breath and cleared her voice.
"I need you to patch me through to his cell right now. It's-" Misty looked at Ash. "-An emergency. I have to talk to him right now. Please put me through."
"Now now, Misty. You know what happened last time it was an emergency and you bothered him during a board meeting. I don't think-" The older lady was cut off by a deeper man's voice.
"Just tell him an old friend with a Pikachu is waiting on the other line. He'll take the call."
"Ash!" Misty hissed. Ash smiled and backed down from the screen. "I'm sorry." Misty apologized.
"I'll see what I can do. Please hold." Ash sat down by Misty and waited, minus a smack for interrupting her on the phone that is.
"-not to mention that the last time you guys sent me a costumer, his pokemon were in terrible shape! Next time, make sure that Nurse Joy takes a look at the pokemon first!" An older Brock Slate growled at his boarders. "And another thing! You haven't sent me a decent trainer in weeks! How am I going to show off my skills on petty trainers pokemon?"
"Sorry to interrupt." Brock's attention was adverted for a moment. A voice came over the speakerphone that Brock recognized as his secretary, Cara. "But there's an important call waiting for you."
"Tell them I'll call them back." Brock growled back at her through the intercom.
"But sir, it's Misty Waterflower and she says it's an emergency." Cara insisted. Brock made a mental note to shriek at Misty later.
"It's always an emergency! Tell her, I'll call her back." Brock growled. There was a pause as Cara sighed.
"Yes sir. I'll tell the caller with the Pikachu to phone back on some other time." Brock paled. The rest of the people in the room didn't know what to think. Brock was hard as stone and stubborn as a mule, they had never seen the stone image waver before. The group looked startled when Brock almost leapt at the intercom.
"Cara! WAIT! Did you just say a caller with a Pikachu?" Brock asked in a panic. Cara replied with a shaky yes sir. "This meeting is now postponed. Kindly leave until further notice." Brock ordered.
"But- we're not finished yet." Said and unknown voice. Brock turned toward the group with a ferocity that they had never seen before.
"I SAID GET OUT!" After the order, men ran from the room in fear. Brock was seemingly upset and the news of the phone call made things worse. "Put the call through on my personal line." Brock gruffed over the intercom.
'If it's about another save me from my sisters I swear I'll hire a hit man!' Brock growled to himself. Brock walked into another room and scooted behind a large desk.
"Com on." Brock flipped a switch and he immediately saw the screen come down from the ceiling. Brock hit another switch and the screen came to life. The first thing he saw was the image of a crimson haired woman on the other side.
"Hi Brock! How are you?" Misty greeted in a cheery voice. Brock scowled to let her know he was angry.
"Misty, I don't have time to waste so get to the point. What is your big emergency? It had better be important or I'll-" Misty was suddenly off the screen. "What?" Brock said confused. Brock heard Misty arguing with someone on the other side of the phone. He clearly heard Misty saying.
"Hey! I haven't seen him in a while! I should go first!" Brock heard her distinctly say. The voice that argued with her was deep and oddly familiar.
"You've at least seen him a few times in the last five years! I should go first."
"I'm going first!" Misty growled
"I am!"
"Me!"
"No me!" There was a large crackle from the other side of the line and Brock held his breath.
"Pikachu pika!" A voice suddenly said from out of nowhere. Brock finally lost his temper and banged his hand on the desk.
"Misty!!!!! If this is some cruel joke, I'll never speak to you again!" Brock yelled over the phone. Suddenly, the phone was picked up and there was a sound that sounded like hissing. Brock gasped when the sight of a charred Misty came back into view.
"Sorry about that Brock. As I was saying-"
"Yo BROCKO!" Brock nearly had a mild heart attack when he heard the voice in the background. In the background was a silhouette of a large, smoking man about Misty's age. Misty put her hand over the receiver and growled at him to shut up.
"Ash? Ash! Misty is that Ash?!" Brock asked in the utmost shock. Misty growled at Ash and returned her attention to the phone call.
"You'll never guess who decided to drop in on me today. " Misty said with a huge grin. "It seems that a little wanderer came for a visit. When do you think you can come and see us here in Cerulean? I know someone who wants to meet you."
"Come on!" A voice whined in the background. Misty shushed Ash for the last time.
"Misty, I'm on the next flight there." Brock hung up the phone and dashed out the door.
"Mr. Slate what is going on?" Cara was absolutely surprised when her boss came whipping out of his office like a banshee on the run.
"Don't have any time to explain. Get me tickets for the next plane to Cerulean and I mean now!" Cara gasped as he rushed out the door and waved for a taxi. Cara furiously phoned the only airplane strip in town and had them reserve a seat for him on the next flight to Cerulean, which was in about three hours.
"So? Is he coming? Ash asked with his old youthful like fervor. Misty shrugged her shoulder in an I have not a clue gesture. Ash plopped down onto the seat and began to dial a number when he realized what he was about to do. "Ummm. Misty? I know this is going to sound weird but, what's my moms phone number?" Misty burst out laughing and sighed.
"Here." Misty dialed the number and waited for the phone call to connect. When there was no answer, Ash was a little disappointed. "She could be helping out at Oaks. Let's try there next." Misty dialed up the number and waited again. Ash had the receiver in hand and waited for the phone to be answered.
"Hello?" Ash was relieved when it wasn't Gary who answered the phone. The face was instantly recognized.
"Tracey?" Ash said in awe. There was a pause on the other end.
"Who is this?!" Demanded the older voice. The more distinguished version of Tracy Sketchit couldn't place the face of the kettle black haired young man who was calling.
"It's me Tracey. It's Ash." To Ash's surprise, Tracey began to laugh.
"Oh right! That's original! Nice try. It's going to take a lot more than that to pull the wool over my eyes. Who put you up to this? Gary? May? I'm not in the mood for practical jokes buster." Ash sighed and realized something.
"Hey, Tracey. Remember the time we went to Pinkan Island and Pikachu ate the pinkan fruit? Remember the way I acted when Pikachu started to turn pink?" There was a gasp on the other line. "Remember when I said 'Then you would be pinkachu.'."
"ASH! It is you! How-" Tracey never got another word in. Ash sweatdropped when another figure crashed into Tracey. "waaaaa!"
"ASH! Honey is that you?" Ash barely recognized his mother. Delilah had aged considerably while he was away. Her brown hair had streaks of grey through it, there were a few more wrinkles then he remembered and she looked more mature.
"Hi mom." Ash said like nothing had ever changed. "How are you doing? I'm fine. Before you say another word, yes, I have been changing my you-know-what's. Pikachu and my other pokemon are doing fine and I'm sorry for not calling you sooner." Ash saw the tears overcome his mothers beautiful eyes.
"Ash, oh, Ash. My baby! It really is you!" Misty sniggered and was silenced by a hostile glare from Ash. "I've missed you so much! Where are you? Please tell me so I can see you again in person!" Ash smiled as he replied.
"I'm with Misty mom. I'm in Cerulean city. I want to come home as soon as possible. I have so much to tell you all." Ash felt the tears of joy wash over his face. This was his mother, his real mother. "I can't wait to see you again." Misty felt that it was a time for Ash to be alone with his mother so she tried to creep out of the room. As she opened the door, her sisters walked into the room.
"Like, Misty. We've figured it out. Misty?" Daisy looked around for her sister. The door had clobbered Misty when it suddenly swung open.
"Like, what are you doing on the floor?" Lily asked finding Misty on the ground. Misty groaned something that sounded like none of your business. "Like, we have got to talk to you like, now!"
"What is it?" Misty growled when they were outside. Misty's sisters lead her to the kitchen and sat her down at the table. When Misty saw the backpack Ash had been carrying, she got mad. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR DOING!?!" misty yelled.
"Like, simmer down sis. We want you to see what Mr. Fraud has in his backpack." Violet spilled the contents onto the table and Misty let out a gasp. There were weapons and other undecipherable things in his bag. Things Misty had never seen spilled out of the bag such as a big bag of powders, a set of polished knifes that weren't knifes and a staff that looked weird.
"What is all of this?" Misty asked in awe. Her sisters gave her a scowl.
"That's what we want to know." Lily growled. "It seems you've invited a regular psycho into our home!" Misty just sat at the table dumbstruck. Ash had just talked with his mother and the professor for about an hour and had just hung up the phone. Ash looked around to see no Misty.
'That's odd.' Ash thought to himself. 'Misty probably got fed up with me on the phone, she's probably with her sisters somewhere.' Ash picked himself up and went to the gym. It looked a little different than the last time he had been there. Ash smiled and touched the small velvet bag he had always kept close to his heart. It contained his badges and his special stones. These were Ash's most prized possessions.
"Ash?" Ash didn't turn around to Misty's voice.
"You have no idea how much I missed this place." Ash said quietly. "I've fought so many battles Misty, so many. Even when there was no hope in winning, I fought on because I wanted to go home. I can't express the joy I feel being back home." Ash turned around to see Misty's back to him. "Something the matter?"
"Ash, if that is your name. Why did you come here? How did you come here?" Misty said choking on the words. Ash gave her a confused look then realized she still didn't know the whole truth. Ash smiled and walked over to Misty.
"Here I am expecting you to understand when you don't know a thing. Let's find some place to sit so I can tell you the whole ordeal." Ash paused for a moment. "And without your sisters listening in." Ash said loud enough for the three girls around the corner to hear. Misty led him to the kitchen. When Ash saw his backpack strewn out on the table he laughed.
"What's so funny?" Misty growled. Ash stopped laughing for a moment and sighed.
"Inside joke, sorry. I'll explain everything and maybe you can judge for yourself whether or not I should have these or not." Misty sat down at the table and listened. Ash's story went deep into the night and Misty had to go to the bathroom twice at Ash's morbid descriptions at some of the battles he had been in. After Ash was finished, Misty was bleach white and crying.
"Dear lord Ash. How could you stand it? It's horrendous! I wouldn't have lasted a week in that place." Misty asked sick. Ash patted her back as the last of the vomit came up.
"It's a horrible thing I know. It was just something I had to do and never again." Ash said with tears in his eyes.
"You've been through hell and back Ash. I feel so ashamed." Misty sobbed. Ash cradled her in his arms and sighed. "I should have been with you." Ash whirled her around to meet his gaze.
"No! I'm grateful you were left behind. I've seen so many things in my lifetime that I never want you to experience. You have nothing to be ashamed of, even if you weren't with me in body, you were with me in my memory and that made me strong." Misty sobbed and clutched Ash close to her. Soon her sobs stopped and she fell fast asleep. Ash effortlessly picked her up and tucked her in her bed.
'Thank you for everything.' Ash thought as he left the room. 'If I hadn't had an anchor in this world I wouldn't have been able to do anything.' Ash closed the door and walked back down into the living room. Pikachu was waiting for Ash on the couch and fell asleep with its master.
In a time of war one would bring change. This person would be a person of considerable strength and courage. With the hero's of old he traveled to all the kingdoms in the land of Kanto and Johto. The alliance of the kingdoms was made while in his youth and he was taught by the best they had to offer. None truly knew how he came to be in this world for he had no mother in the world. For five long years he traveled the lands with his warriors and sometimes without. Adventure seemed to follow him like a plague. Some said that he was a sorcerer, others a great warrior, but most importantly he was a prince in his own right. All knew him and adored him. Then the war broke out; the loyalists and takers against the young one. None knew whom these people were loyal to for their master was unknown. A great and mighty war was fought with many dying. Finally, the young one had enough death imprinted in his memory and invoked the Tiencha- the right to rule by combat. That is where the chapter of trial begins…..
Ash was waiting atop mount Mieoshi. Waiting for his competition. Ash had won the war a long time ago when he took the Silver Mountain Castle, their base of operation. Ash had nothing to worry about other than the odd skirmish with the small rebel loyalists who escaped them all the time. Ash had enough with this tiresome game of cat and mouse. Their leader still eluded him time and time again so the war would truly never be over until the other was dead.
"Ash?" Pikachu asked worried. Ash drifted out of his thoughts and pulled a strand of raven hair from his eyes. His hat hair had disappeared when he was about fifteen. Pikachu was worried about Ash. Ash hadn't been himself lately since Bracken was seriously injured in an assassination attempt on Ash's life. Garnick was taking care of him at Ash's base of operation at Krofost castle. Ash wasn't one to take a life unless he had no other choice but today he was focused and scary.
"I'm fine Pikachu. Don't worry about me." Pikachu nodded from Ash's shoulder and sighed. Today was the day that they ended this farce. A small child that was too young to know anything had delivered the message. Ash was to meet the leader atop the mountain of Mieoshi at quarter sun and Ash was waiting. The person to come down the mountain was the new ruler of the entire world. Ash had already made arrangement that if he won, their rule would be combined into one. Ash copied the system from his original world and placed it into this time. Ash had to make sure that he won. Then, in the distance, Ash saw a cloaked figure approaching him.
'At last.' Ash waited until the cloaked figure was close enough. Ash looked at the person who had been causing him trouble since he was fourteen. Ash had just finished his training with Bracken and to maintain his athletic build, he was doing strength building. Ash never thought his muscles would save his life. First it was the life attempts and then the war broke out soon afterwards. Ash couldn't believe how he could fight so well. Also, Garnick's magic training was an enormous help in battles. Especially if that battle was against a pokemon.
"Stop right there." Ash ordered. The figure stopped. "Remove your cloak." When the figure did, Ash was met with a horrid shock. "Lance?" Ash recognized the hero that he worshipped every league battle for the champion title. Ash hadn't met the other alternate of Lance until now. Lance was as equally as surprised.
"How do you know me?" Lance growled. Ash shook off his initial shock and crouched into a defensive position.
"I don't" Ash growled back. "Before we get this bout started, I want to ask you a question. Why did you form the council to control so many lives? Were you bored or did you just want power?" The answer Ash got was expected.
"I formed the council to appease the former councils expectations." Lance said simply. Ash shook his head in disgust; people here never went against the grain. They just followed orders without thinking. That's why so many had died.
"I thought as much. So, what is your choice of weapon? The message said to bring one weapon and one weapon only." Lance removed a gun from his pocket. It was a bit more up to date then the crude guns Ash had fought before.
"Say goodbye. You were a worthy foe." Lance said grinning. Ash copied his smile and chuckled.
"You still don't get it do you? You were never able to figure out why the battle at Mount Moon turned out the way it did. Sorry Lance, this time you lose. I will allow an unconditional surrender right now if you're interested." Ash offered seriously. Lance just laughed at Ash's offer.
"You're bluffing. You and I know that you can't outrun a gun and I had this one made up especially for you." Lance pointed it directly at Ash and pulled the trigger. A deafening blast was heard from the mountaintop that could be heard in the valleys. When the echo died down, Ash was still standing.
"You see Lance, some of the rumours about me are true. I have pokemon, I fight well and-" Ash's smile turned totally cruel. "-operate at a rate one sorcerer." Lance's face went pale and he dropped the gun. "Being all that and the chosen one is a lot of hard work but I don't mind. The job lets me take care of trash like you. ??????????"
'No!' Lance gasped as a wall of fire blasted towards him. That was all that Lance could remember seeing before winking out of existence. Pikachu sadly watched as the fool had underestimated Ash again and died in the wake of Ash's onslaught.
"The weapon I brought with me was the best you'll find anywhere; me. I took care of the Mount Moon errand myself. You should have surrendered while you had a chance." Ash turned away and began to walk the long hike back to his friends below.
At the base of Mt Mieoshi.
"I don't care about the rules! I'm going up there after him!" Tracey growled. Mysterious and Brock had to hold him down. "Let me go! Ash could be in trouble!"
"We don't know that for sure!" Mysterious said quickly. "It's just going to be one little fight and it's all over. We have to have faith in Ash." Tracey settled down a bit and was released.
"I feel so helpless. Ash is my lord! I should be up there in his place or at least helping him." Tracey sputtered. Tracey peered out of the tent for the third time that day. "And those gun shots didn't make me feel any better."
"I don't think Ash would lose to anyone. Not after all of his hard work into the cause. All he has to do now is show up and we all have our freedom." Brock said simply.
"You're calm just because you haven't known Ash as long as I have. I've never seen that look in his eyes before when Bracken was hurt." Tracey shot back.
"Enough bickering both of you!" Mysterious growled. "Now is the time to wait. I have confidence that Ash will return to us and unharmed." Both men simply sat down on the chairs provided and waited.
"Mysterious, what will Ash do once he's finished here?" Tracey thought out of the blue. Mysterious's mind was thrown back to a memory of a clear starry night sky. It was the night that broke her heart into pieces. Ash had told her the truth why he couldn't hold the promise stick and why he didn't want to get involved with her or anyone else.
"You kidding? He's going to be married and have the pitter patter of little feet this time next year! That lucky little houndour!" Brock said in a laugh. Mysterious almost cried. Then, there was a great commotion outside. Thinking it was Ash, the trio raced out into the camp to see a familiar face. Not Ash's mind you but a familiar face nonetheless.
"Bracken! Garnick!" Tracey cheered. "I thought you were laid up man." Bracken gave Tracey a scowl that could melt iron.
"He still is." Garnick said with an impish grin. "You're just seeing his mind image right now. Mine as well." Mysterious smiled knowingly at Garnick.
"Curiosity killed the Meowth you know." Mysterious teased.
"Good thing he's not a pokemon then." Interrupted a voice. All eyes turned to see Ashura Satoshi Ketchum leaning on the nearest pole. "Did I miss something? Do I have a stare at me sign stamped to my forehead?" The group laughed and Ash grinned.
"Ashura! Chosen One!" Before Ash could silence Bracken, the entire camp burst out into the normal cheer for when Ash won a significant battle.
"ASHURA! CHOSEN ONE! ASHURA! CHOSEN ONE! ASHURA!" Ash lowered his head and blushed.
"Looks like I'm the hero of the day. Why don't I just pack up and leave for Krofost castle? We can celebrate th-*" Ash was suddenly cut off by a feeling that he hadn't had in a long time. Ash neatly fell over on his back and stopped in shock.
"Ash!" Three people and two shadows moved to help Ash only to be blocked by his powers.
"Pikachu! To me!" Ash warped the space around him and collected what he thought as his worldly possessions; a bag full of magic powders, his opal staff and his weapons. Ash's pokeballs suddenly appeared on his belt and he made sure he had everything mentally.
"What's the matter Ash?" Pikachu asked as soon as he was on Ash's shoulder. Ash sighed and Pikachu could see the tears forming.
"I hate to leave you all on such short notice. I guess my time here is up. I hope I can see you all again someday. Goodbye." Ash said teary eyed.
"What? No! Ash wait!" Mysterious cried.
"Goodbye." Ash said one last time. Mysterious watched, as Ash seemed to be swallowed by nothing and disappeared. The group was left in silence. The person they had grown to admire and love over the past years had finally gone home. Then a horrendous scream echoed the camp.
First World.
"And in other news, the pokemon league has officially released the information that Team Rocket was responsible for the Goldenrod City Tower takeover." Misty sighed and changed the channel. Nothing of interest to her. Misty stretched out her aching muscles and yawned. It had been another long day at the Cerulean Gym. Her sisters had once again insisted that Misty help out with the water show and was dragged into it.
'Why do I let them talk me into these things?' Misty got out of the private living room in the back of the gym and walked around. Things had changed so much around the gym with Misty back from pokemon journeying that there was a lot of adjusting. Misty took a trip up to the pool to see how her pokemon were doing. Misty may have been the new water pokemon master but she felt something was still missing in her life.
"Like, there she is." Misty was by the pool when her sister Daisy spotted her. Misty lazily rolled her head to the side to see Daisy with another boy.
'When will she ever give up?' Misty grumbled to herself. When Misty got back from her wanders, her sisters realized that she actually was a woman. When that happened, every bachelor they knew came a call'n.
"Misty, this is like, Vern. He was like, so totally psyched to meet you that I had to bring him over."
"Hello." Misty said coldly. Vern looked Misty over and decided that she was good enough not to take the cold tone in offence.
"I'm Vern. Pleased to meet you." Misty saw him extent his hand and ignored it. Vern didn't like her for anything other then her extremely fit body.
"Now Vern, what would you be doing here? Hmmmm? You do realize I'm a busy girl and moments like this to relax like this are rare for me. So, if you and my sister don't have anything important to tell me, I'd rather be alone right now." If he didn't take the hint then, Misty would bring out her mallet.
"I can always come back later." Vern grumbled. Vern left Misty and Daisy alone and left the gym. Daisy was beyond angry.
"How could you do that!?! Every time I want you to meet someone nice, you drop him like a hot potato!"
"Calm down sis." Misty's other sisters entered the room. Lily and Violet sat down next to their sister by the pool. Lily was the one speaking to Daisy. "Like, we all know the reason like, Misty won't like, date a guy."
"She should get over that-that scary Ash Ketchum guy. It's been like, years!" Daisy growled in Misty's direction. Misty ignored her sisters and looked up into the skylight. It was the perfect day in Misty's own little world. A miserable existence ever since her Ash left. Daisy went on like this for hours at a time so Misty began to drift off into sleep when something out of the ordinary happened.
"-ld maid for all I care. I'm through trying to help you find a gu-***" Daisy stopped midword. That never happened in the Waterflower household so all three sisters looked her way. Daisy had the most startled look of horror on her face any of them had ever seen before.
"What's going on?" Misty asked Daisy. Daisy pointed to above the pool and all three sisters looked to see something strange. There was a bright light hovering over their pool. The light source seemed to come out of nowhere and was getting brighter by the second. Misty had to cover her eyes before she went blind. There was a sound that resembled fireworks and the light finally flashed to his highest point and then winked into nothing.
"WHOAH!" A splash was heard and some sputtering. When Misty's eyesight came back, she was stunned to see someone in the pool. The pokemon in the water came to the rescue and her ferocious Gyarados dragged out the person.
'That's odd.' Misty thought as she neared the edge of the pool near the person. 'I didn't order any of my pokemon to save him.' Misty neared the man and noticed he was a pokemon trainer. Ten balls adorned on his belt and a Pikachu was sopping wet next to him.
"Pikachu pi pikapi." The pokemon growled. Misty's heart skipped a beat. It couldn't be the Pikachu she knew and loved. Misty got a closer look at the pokemon. It wasn't Ash's, it was in too good of shape to be Ash's Pikachu. The man moaned and began to regain consciousness. Misty walked closer with her sisters right behind her for protection.
"Man, Pikachu. That was one wild ride." The voice was unfathomable and deep. The stranger sat up. Misty studied his features to the T. Wild unruly black hair, zigzag birthmark cheeks, blue eyes. Misty's heart stopped beating a thousand times a second and returned too normal. It wasn't Ash. Ash had brown eyes. Once Misty regained her composure, she reverted from awed to angry.
"Hey! Just what do you think your doing!!!!" Misty yelled. Ash shook his head trying to clear things up. Wherever Ash had ended up when he went through dimensions he had landed above water. When he got help to the edge of the pool, he could've sworn he heard Misty.
"What?" Ash focused and saw four girls in bathing suits. For some reason, they all looked familiar. When the red haired girl marched towards him, he knew he was in trouble. The only reason a woman walked that way was to give anyone trouble.
"I won't ask you again! What are you doing here? If you wanted a badge, you could've made an appointment like everyone else!" Misty growled. "Now get out of here before I sick my Gyarados on you!" Suddenly Pikachu leapt up into her arms.
"Misty!" Pikachu said in delight. Ash's attention reverted from the girl to Pikachu. Ash slowly examined the woman in front of him and gasped. Ash recognized the orange-red hair and her eyes.
"Long time no see Misty." Groaned Ash as he got up. Misty backed off from the Pikachu and man. He was twice as big standing up as he was on the ground. When it registered what he said, Misty couldn't breath.
"Ash?" Misty whispered. Pikachu bounded back to Ash. Ash didn't respond until outside distractions came in.
"Eeeeeeeek! You have like, got to be kidding us. Like, everyone knows that Ash Ketchum dropped off the face of the world like, years ago. Like, who do you think you're kidding?" Daisy interrupted.
"Fer sure! You're nothing but a nasty fraud. Like, kick him out Misty." Violet added. "I can call Officer Jenny right now you know. So don't try anything funny." Violet added as she shot a menacing look at Ash.
"Now why would I do something funny?" Ash replied.
"Like where have you been? We're the sensational sisters!" Lily added in, her pride hurt.
"Well, I guess I have dropped off the face of the world for years but that's no reason to go ballistic on me." Ash said in his defense.
"Like, you're not fooling anyone with you're act. Violet, hand me your cell. I'll call Officer Jenny." Ash moaned inwardly, this is not what he needed right now.
'What's it going to take to convince them I'm Ash?' Ash thought to himself. Then he came up with the perfect idea. 'Oh Mew? Would you come out for a moment?' Ash sent telepathically to a pokeball. Violet had just handed Daisy the cell when a familiar stream of light shot out from one of the pokeballs around Ash's belt. All four girls reached for their own pokemon when they all saw the pokemon that had come out of the ball. There was a crash as Daisy dropped the phone.
"Mew!" Ash smiled at the reaction he got from Misty. Misty's jaw had dropped, her eyes went wide and she stared at Mew.
"Mew return." Ash pulled out the ball and sucked the pokemon back into it. Once the pokemon was away, all the sisters seemed to regain their senses. Misty was the first one to recover.
"Ash!" Misty ran and tackled him in a ferocious bear hug. Ash wasn't expecting her to move so fast and they both fell in the pool. There was a large splash and bubbles. Pikachu jumped from the pair as they went in.
"GASP!" Ash came up for air with Misty still attached to him. "Misty!" Ash growled. "Isn't this where I came in?" Misty was crying. Ash didn't know what to do so he simply got back to the side of the pool.
"I never thought you would make it back." Misty said looking up into Ash's eyes. "I can't believe you're here." Ash smiled back down at the water pokemon trainer. Misty remembered that warm overconfident smile from so long ago and remembered something. "Now maybe you can pay me back for my bike!" The look on Ash's face was priceless.
"Oh nooooo!" Ash groaned. "You're still not hung up on that bike are you?" The response to the question was a splash; a certain perturbed red head dunked Ash underwater.
"You bet I am! Do you know how much that bike cost me?! You are going to pay that bike back to me or else!" Ash was let up for air and grinned. Ash didn't realize how much he had missed Misty's unpredictable temper.
"Fine! Just let me up. I'll do whatever you say just let me live!" Ash joked. Misty gave him another dunk. After drying off and another set of cloths, Ash was sitting in a comfortable chair in the living room. "So, what's been happening since I left?" Ash asked curious. Misty didn't know where to begin.
"Your mother is still in Pallet. People banded together to rebuild the town better than ever. It had gotten quite popular when the Ultimate Trainer was rumoured to have lived there." Ash choked on the tea he was sipping.
"Common knowledge?" Ash sputtered. "It's common knowledge that I'm the Ultimate Trainer? Cripes! Mom must be worried sick about me by now." Misty smiled a knowing smile.
"Naaah! She knows that you'd come home eventually. Professor Oak has a new lab twice as big as before and Gary-." Ash moaned at his rivals name."-is the current pokemon Indigo league champion and has set up his own gym in Pallet." Misty said knowing it would bug the heck out of Ash.
"Oh great! I'm light years behind Gary now." Ash moaned. Misty laughed and gave Ash a wink. Unknown to them, three girls were listening at the door.
"Can you like, BELIEVE this?" Violet whispered. The two other girls behind the door shook their heads.
"There is like no possible way that guy could like, be Ash. He's way too big." Daisy said. Lily listened and heard a giggle from Misty.
"Like I don't know if he's a fraud or not." Lily added. "I mean, like, Misty would be able to spot a fraud right? Besides, he does look a little like the kid."
"Ash had brown eyes! This guy has like, blue!" Daisy growled. "There's like something going on here that we don't like, know about."
"And I would like to know what that is." Violet added. Their conversation didn't go unnoticed. Ash could hear a petty scout three miles away; these were loud girls in the next room.
"You know, your sisters don't have to hide behind the door like that." Ash said changing the conversation. Misty looked at him strangely.
"What are you talking about? My sisters are handling the gym." Misty said annoyed. Ash got up from his seat.
"Oh no? Watch this." Misty couldn't believe what she was seeing. Ash was very carefully walking over to the door trying not to make a sound. What was surprising was that Ash was sneaking around quickly but quietly. Ash stopped at the door and grabbed the doorknob not making a sound the entire time.
"Ash? What-" Ash suddenly opened the door and three women fell over into the room. Misty was dumbstruck as Ash began to laugh. Misty's three sisters scrambled to their feet embarrassed and walked out of the room and down the hallway.
"Mmmph! What did I tell you?" Ash giggled laughing. Misty finally found her wits enough to be embarrassed for her sisters. Ash sat down back at the chair and began to settle down. "I don't think they'll be bothering us for a while yet." Ash said grinning.
"Very funny wise guy!" Misty barked. Ash smiled his sweet and innocent smile and continued to smile.
"So, what's Brock been doing all these years? Please don't tell me he met a girl who can tolerate him." Ash said in a phony cringe. Misty's one eyebrow went up.
"Why?" Misty simply asked.
"Because I would be very, very afraid for Brock. A girl like that must be really- oh help me, what is the word I'm looking for?" Ash moaned.
"Extraordinary? Brilliant? Patient?" Misty offered. Ash put a hand under his chin and thought for a moment.
"Unique." Misty threw a pillow at Ash and he dodged it.
"OH YOU- you always were insensitive!" Misty growled. Ash threw the pillow back at her and let the subject drop.
"So? How is our Brocko?" Ash asked smiling.
"Busy." Misty answered.
"Wha? Busy? Doing what?" Ash asked stupidly. Misty shook her head.
"Ash, I know you haven't been here for the last few years but things have changed. Brock is a very highly paid for and sought after pokemon breeder. He set up shop in Pewter and is the number one man that everyone wants." Ash smiled a large smile. It didn't surprise him much.
"So, when do we go and get the gang together again? I would've told you I was coming home so you would've had a surprise party ready but," Ash just snapped his fingers and shook his head. "I just couldn't afford the long distance phone call. You know, calls over dimensions are expensive." Misty laughed.
"You never change, do you?" Misty laughed. "I'll make an appointment with him. They'll let me through on the line because I'm an old friend." Misty walked over to the vid-phone and dialed an old number.
"Cool." Ash walked up over to her. "Do you think we can used this to call my mom next? I would love to see her face after so long." Misty didn't have a chance to reply as an old crankily woman picked up the phone.
"Brock Slates office. How may I help you?" The old woman put on her glasses and gasped. "Misty! Oh my dear. You look ravishing! Brock isn't in right now but I can tell him you called." Misty took a deep breath and cleared her voice.
"I need you to patch me through to his cell right now. It's-" Misty looked at Ash. "-An emergency. I have to talk to him right now. Please put me through."
"Now now, Misty. You know what happened last time it was an emergency and you bothered him during a board meeting. I don't think-" The older lady was cut off by a deeper man's voice.
"Just tell him an old friend with a Pikachu is waiting on the other line. He'll take the call."
"Ash!" Misty hissed. Ash smiled and backed down from the screen. "I'm sorry." Misty apologized.
"I'll see what I can do. Please hold." Ash sat down by Misty and waited, minus a smack for interrupting her on the phone that is.
"-not to mention that the last time you guys sent me a costumer, his pokemon were in terrible shape! Next time, make sure that Nurse Joy takes a look at the pokemon first!" An older Brock Slate growled at his boarders. "And another thing! You haven't sent me a decent trainer in weeks! How am I going to show off my skills on petty trainers pokemon?"
"Sorry to interrupt." Brock's attention was adverted for a moment. A voice came over the speakerphone that Brock recognized as his secretary, Cara. "But there's an important call waiting for you."
"Tell them I'll call them back." Brock growled back at her through the intercom.
"But sir, it's Misty Waterflower and she says it's an emergency." Cara insisted. Brock made a mental note to shriek at Misty later.
"It's always an emergency! Tell her, I'll call her back." Brock growled. There was a pause as Cara sighed.
"Yes sir. I'll tell the caller with the Pikachu to phone back on some other time." Brock paled. The rest of the people in the room didn't know what to think. Brock was hard as stone and stubborn as a mule, they had never seen the stone image waver before. The group looked startled when Brock almost leapt at the intercom.
"Cara! WAIT! Did you just say a caller with a Pikachu?" Brock asked in a panic. Cara replied with a shaky yes sir. "This meeting is now postponed. Kindly leave until further notice." Brock ordered.
"But- we're not finished yet." Said and unknown voice. Brock turned toward the group with a ferocity that they had never seen before.
"I SAID GET OUT!" After the order, men ran from the room in fear. Brock was seemingly upset and the news of the phone call made things worse. "Put the call through on my personal line." Brock gruffed over the intercom.
'If it's about another save me from my sisters I swear I'll hire a hit man!' Brock growled to himself. Brock walked into another room and scooted behind a large desk.
"Com on." Brock flipped a switch and he immediately saw the screen come down from the ceiling. Brock hit another switch and the screen came to life. The first thing he saw was the image of a crimson haired woman on the other side.
"Hi Brock! How are you?" Misty greeted in a cheery voice. Brock scowled to let her know he was angry.
"Misty, I don't have time to waste so get to the point. What is your big emergency? It had better be important or I'll-" Misty was suddenly off the screen. "What?" Brock said confused. Brock heard Misty arguing with someone on the other side of the phone. He clearly heard Misty saying.
"Hey! I haven't seen him in a while! I should go first!" Brock heard her distinctly say. The voice that argued with her was deep and oddly familiar.
"You've at least seen him a few times in the last five years! I should go first."
"I'm going first!" Misty growled
"I am!"
"Me!"
"No me!" There was a large crackle from the other side of the line and Brock held his breath.
"Pikachu pika!" A voice suddenly said from out of nowhere. Brock finally lost his temper and banged his hand on the desk.
"Misty!!!!! If this is some cruel joke, I'll never speak to you again!" Brock yelled over the phone. Suddenly, the phone was picked up and there was a sound that sounded like hissing. Brock gasped when the sight of a charred Misty came back into view.
"Sorry about that Brock. As I was saying-"
"Yo BROCKO!" Brock nearly had a mild heart attack when he heard the voice in the background. In the background was a silhouette of a large, smoking man about Misty's age. Misty put her hand over the receiver and growled at him to shut up.
"Ash? Ash! Misty is that Ash?!" Brock asked in the utmost shock. Misty growled at Ash and returned her attention to the phone call.
"You'll never guess who decided to drop in on me today. " Misty said with a huge grin. "It seems that a little wanderer came for a visit. When do you think you can come and see us here in Cerulean? I know someone who wants to meet you."
"Come on!" A voice whined in the background. Misty shushed Ash for the last time.
"Misty, I'm on the next flight there." Brock hung up the phone and dashed out the door.
"Mr. Slate what is going on?" Cara was absolutely surprised when her boss came whipping out of his office like a banshee on the run.
"Don't have any time to explain. Get me tickets for the next plane to Cerulean and I mean now!" Cara gasped as he rushed out the door and waved for a taxi. Cara furiously phoned the only airplane strip in town and had them reserve a seat for him on the next flight to Cerulean, which was in about three hours.
"So? Is he coming? Ash asked with his old youthful like fervor. Misty shrugged her shoulder in an I have not a clue gesture. Ash plopped down onto the seat and began to dial a number when he realized what he was about to do. "Ummm. Misty? I know this is going to sound weird but, what's my moms phone number?" Misty burst out laughing and sighed.
"Here." Misty dialed the number and waited for the phone call to connect. When there was no answer, Ash was a little disappointed. "She could be helping out at Oaks. Let's try there next." Misty dialed up the number and waited again. Ash had the receiver in hand and waited for the phone to be answered.
"Hello?" Ash was relieved when it wasn't Gary who answered the phone. The face was instantly recognized.
"Tracey?" Ash said in awe. There was a pause on the other end.
"Who is this?!" Demanded the older voice. The more distinguished version of Tracy Sketchit couldn't place the face of the kettle black haired young man who was calling.
"It's me Tracey. It's Ash." To Ash's surprise, Tracey began to laugh.
"Oh right! That's original! Nice try. It's going to take a lot more than that to pull the wool over my eyes. Who put you up to this? Gary? May? I'm not in the mood for practical jokes buster." Ash sighed and realized something.
"Hey, Tracey. Remember the time we went to Pinkan Island and Pikachu ate the pinkan fruit? Remember the way I acted when Pikachu started to turn pink?" There was a gasp on the other line. "Remember when I said 'Then you would be pinkachu.'."
"ASH! It is you! How-" Tracey never got another word in. Ash sweatdropped when another figure crashed into Tracey. "waaaaa!"
"ASH! Honey is that you?" Ash barely recognized his mother. Delilah had aged considerably while he was away. Her brown hair had streaks of grey through it, there were a few more wrinkles then he remembered and she looked more mature.
"Hi mom." Ash said like nothing had ever changed. "How are you doing? I'm fine. Before you say another word, yes, I have been changing my you-know-what's. Pikachu and my other pokemon are doing fine and I'm sorry for not calling you sooner." Ash saw the tears overcome his mothers beautiful eyes.
"Ash, oh, Ash. My baby! It really is you!" Misty sniggered and was silenced by a hostile glare from Ash. "I've missed you so much! Where are you? Please tell me so I can see you again in person!" Ash smiled as he replied.
"I'm with Misty mom. I'm in Cerulean city. I want to come home as soon as possible. I have so much to tell you all." Ash felt the tears of joy wash over his face. This was his mother, his real mother. "I can't wait to see you again." Misty felt that it was a time for Ash to be alone with his mother so she tried to creep out of the room. As she opened the door, her sisters walked into the room.
"Like, Misty. We've figured it out. Misty?" Daisy looked around for her sister. The door had clobbered Misty when it suddenly swung open.
"Like, what are you doing on the floor?" Lily asked finding Misty on the ground. Misty groaned something that sounded like none of your business. "Like, we have got to talk to you like, now!"
"What is it?" Misty growled when they were outside. Misty's sisters lead her to the kitchen and sat her down at the table. When Misty saw the backpack Ash had been carrying, she got mad. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR DOING!?!" misty yelled.
"Like, simmer down sis. We want you to see what Mr. Fraud has in his backpack." Violet spilled the contents onto the table and Misty let out a gasp. There were weapons and other undecipherable things in his bag. Things Misty had never seen spilled out of the bag such as a big bag of powders, a set of polished knifes that weren't knifes and a staff that looked weird.
"What is all of this?" Misty asked in awe. Her sisters gave her a scowl.
"That's what we want to know." Lily growled. "It seems you've invited a regular psycho into our home!" Misty just sat at the table dumbstruck. Ash had just talked with his mother and the professor for about an hour and had just hung up the phone. Ash looked around to see no Misty.
'That's odd.' Ash thought to himself. 'Misty probably got fed up with me on the phone, she's probably with her sisters somewhere.' Ash picked himself up and went to the gym. It looked a little different than the last time he had been there. Ash smiled and touched the small velvet bag he had always kept close to his heart. It contained his badges and his special stones. These were Ash's most prized possessions.
"Ash?" Ash didn't turn around to Misty's voice.
"You have no idea how much I missed this place." Ash said quietly. "I've fought so many battles Misty, so many. Even when there was no hope in winning, I fought on because I wanted to go home. I can't express the joy I feel being back home." Ash turned around to see Misty's back to him. "Something the matter?"
"Ash, if that is your name. Why did you come here? How did you come here?" Misty said choking on the words. Ash gave her a confused look then realized she still didn't know the whole truth. Ash smiled and walked over to Misty.
"Here I am expecting you to understand when you don't know a thing. Let's find some place to sit so I can tell you the whole ordeal." Ash paused for a moment. "And without your sisters listening in." Ash said loud enough for the three girls around the corner to hear. Misty led him to the kitchen. When Ash saw his backpack strewn out on the table he laughed.
"What's so funny?" Misty growled. Ash stopped laughing for a moment and sighed.
"Inside joke, sorry. I'll explain everything and maybe you can judge for yourself whether or not I should have these or not." Misty sat down at the table and listened. Ash's story went deep into the night and Misty had to go to the bathroom twice at Ash's morbid descriptions at some of the battles he had been in. After Ash was finished, Misty was bleach white and crying.
"Dear lord Ash. How could you stand it? It's horrendous! I wouldn't have lasted a week in that place." Misty asked sick. Ash patted her back as the last of the vomit came up.
"It's a horrible thing I know. It was just something I had to do and never again." Ash said with tears in his eyes.
"You've been through hell and back Ash. I feel so ashamed." Misty sobbed. Ash cradled her in his arms and sighed. "I should have been with you." Ash whirled her around to meet his gaze.
"No! I'm grateful you were left behind. I've seen so many things in my lifetime that I never want you to experience. You have nothing to be ashamed of, even if you weren't with me in body, you were with me in my memory and that made me strong." Misty sobbed and clutched Ash close to her. Soon her sobs stopped and she fell fast asleep. Ash effortlessly picked her up and tucked her in her bed.
'Thank you for everything.' Ash thought as he left the room. 'If I hadn't had an anchor in this world I wouldn't have been able to do anything.' Ash closed the door and walked back down into the living room. Pikachu was waiting for Ash on the couch and fell asleep with its master.